Spur of the moment trip to Disneyland

[Betsyp]

Hi all!

I normally would do a lot more research before asking something like this, but for various reasons, I haven't. So, please bear with me, lol.

I haven't been to DL in probably 30 years; living on the east coast, I go to WDW, which I adore more than life itself, lol. So it appears I may be headed out to CA for a convention and I'm thinking that I would spend some time at DL. I know it's far, far smaller than WDW, but if you love rides and Disney like I do, would 3 days (possibly more) be too much time there? Am I wrong in assuming that DL itself can be done in a day - as can California Adventure? I'm the kind that doesn't mind and, in fact, loves to repeat rides, so I'm only asking this in order to figure out how much time I should allot.

I'd be going around the 2nd week in May and UGH, I just found out that Soarin' Over California is closed. Again, I promise to do more research myself, but what would be the other "best" rides there? If you're thinking coasters, I don't do loops or anything beyond what I think of as moderate (Big Thunder Railroad...though I did, and I LOVED, the Everest ride at WDW).

Thank you SO much for your help
Betsy

 

[mom2rtk]

3 days is not too much time. Having Soarin closed at DCA is not the tragedy that having it closed at Epcot would be. There is still tons of stuff to do. There are about the same number of attractions in those 2 parks (side by side, so hopping is a dream) as there are in all of WDW.

We spent 5 days in 2013 and still had things left to do.

 

[Betsyp]

3 days is not too much time. Having Soarin closed at DCA is not the tragedy that having it closed at Epcot would be. There is still tons of stuff to do. There are about the same number of attractions in those 2 parks (side by side, so hopping is a dream) as there are in all of WDW.

We spent 5 days in 2013 and still had things left to do.

Hi Mom!
Oh that's great, thank you!

I love the idea that I can park hop so easily - and that if I choose to spend 5 or 6 days there, as at WDW, that there's plenty to do.

What's nice is that so much of this will be new to me.....so excited now!
Thanks again!

 

[mom2rtk]

You are in for a real treat. We live right in the middle of the country, so have done both coasts. We used to give WDW the edge, but would have to go with DLR lately.

You'll be there right before the 60th celebration. I have a hunch it will be the calm before the storm, and a great time to be there.

 

[disneyhopeful4]

I never feel as though 3 days is enough. I like 5. Sounds like you will have a blast!

 

[beachdreamr1229]

You can get through both parks even in 1 day if you really wanted, but you won't go on everything. 3 days is the length of most of our longer trips. I'd even go longer if we weren't locals that can take day trips when we want. DLR is smaller than WDW, but there are easily as many attractions as you'd find in all of WDW packed into a smaller area. I think you'll be surprised by how much there really is.

 

[Betsyp]

Wow, you guys are the best; thank you! I didn't know until now that it was coming up on the 60th anniversary - fabulous! Given that I'm most definitely NOT a crowd person, I'm glad I'll be there before the actual event/festivities. Now the best part - reading about the parks and making restaurant reservations, lol. Aer there any restaurants that are so good and so popular that I need to make them NOW?
Thanks again!

 

[YukonMommy]

Like others have said WDW maybe bigger size wise, but not ride wise! If this is a one shot deal for you I say a 5 day hopper ticket would be best (if that's possible for you!)

Have a magical time!

 

[Betsyp]

Like others have said WDW maybe bigger size wise, but not ride wise! If this is a one shot deal for you I say a 5 day hopper ticket would be best (if that's possible for you!)

Have a magical time!

It probably is a one shot deal, for awhile anyway, so off the top of my head, 5 day hopper seems the best option. Now that I've booked my hotel and tickets for the convention, I can concentrate on the actual parks (yay!).

Since DL packs about the same number of rides (or similar) to WDW, then it seems to me that, like WDW, you have to have a plan as to how to tackle it. I need to review the layout in order to determine how I'd do this, but just in general, if you have 5 days, do you bother trying to do one park in one day? That seems t me perhaps to be pushing it....

 

[superlarz]

It probably is a one shot deal, for awhile anyway, so off the top of my head, 5 day hopper seems the best option. Now that I've booked my hotel and tickets for the convention, I can concentrate on the actual parks (yay!).

Since DL packs about the same number of rides (or similar) to WDW, then it seems to me that, like WDW, you have to have a plan as to how to tackle it. I need to review the layout in order to determine how I'd do this, but just in general, if you have 5 days, do you bother trying to do one park in one day? That seems t me perhaps to be pushing it....

You really dont have to plan like WDW. It is good to have a general plan of action, but if you plan to much youll lose some of the spontaneity that makes Disneyland so special. If you are going for 5 days, you will have plenty of time to do everything that you want to do multiple times. Things to remember - Fantasimic and Fireworks are only during the weekends except for peak season, and if you are going alone, take full advantage of the single riders line, especially for Indiana Jones adventure and Radiator Springs Racer.

 

[Betsyp]

You really dont have to plan like WDW. It is good to have a general plan of action, but if you plan to much youll lose some of the spontaneity that makes Disneyland so special. If you are going for 5 days, you will have plenty of time to do everything that you want to do multiple times. Things to remember - Fantasimic and Fireworks are only during the weekends except for peak season, and if you are going alone, take full advantage of the single riders line, especially for Indiana Jones adventure and Radiator Springs Racer.

Oh yeah, I don't like to plan everything down to a T, just basically have an idea. Thank you for the heads up; I will be there during a weekend, so I can definitely do Fantasmic and Fireworks....and yes to single rider lines. I assume they have fast passes as well? I think FP is the greatest invention ever, lol

I'm really looking forward to doing some of the old classic rides (YAY that Mr. Toad's is still there) in the original setting and also some new rides that aren't at WDW.......